Debit card vs US cash

Not 100% sure, but I don't think banks will exchange unless you have an account.

But, currency exchanges will do it.

At the same time, there are lots of posts about getting the best exchange rate, and
your bank debit/checking card is the best way to do that (assuming your debit card
is tied to a savings or checking account). Using your credit card to get cash is
viewed as a cash advance and you get charged interest.

Is there some reason you don't want to take your debit card? If you have a security
concern, the implication of your question is that you'd carry additional USD to possibly
exchange into EUR, which I see as more of a risk.

Finally, unless you're going to some remote village or area, you most likely won't need
much cash at all; credit cards are the primary method of payment nowadays.

Maybe read this:
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money/cash-tips

I hope you are planning on taking more than just cash, especially if you are traveling solo.
I always have a couple of cards, credit and debit, in case of problems.

Setting aside your original question (which is a bit concerning, for reasons hinted at above)...are you not bringing credit cards? If you have credit cards with you (always have more than one), you will probably not be needing much cash (maybe any) while in Italy. Sure, it's a good idea to have some (a little) cash with you, but for 99% of things, credit cards are widely, easily, routinely accepted - and credit cards are the highest security/lowest risk way to go. Cash is the most dangerous.

If you are planning to bring a lot of cash with you, you may want to reconsider. Carrying a lot of cash - dollars, euros, whatevers - is asking for trouble.

I spent 3 weeks in Italy this fall and I don't think I used cash once for anything. Yes, there may be circumstances where cash comes in handy in a pinch, but in my experience, these days, not very often.

Bring a small amount of Euros with you
Use your debit card to withdraw more as needed -from a bank Bancomat during bank hours

Always choose transactions in Euros

I can’t imagine not having debit card and a couple credit cards while traveling
Or utilizing something like Apple Pay

All much much safer than cash

If you have credit cards, look into them in terms of foreign exchange or fees. That said, many have essentially no fees and use good exchange rates, but as someone already said, be sure to pay in Euros rather than dollars.

If your credit card gives you 1% or 2% “cash back,” you actually come out ahead by using your card, if you are someone who pays your card off in full every month.

In Italy, you can use a credit card just about anywhere. Yes, even for a gelato.

I never take a debit along on the trip . It's cash and 4 credit cards, 3 of which are equipped with the PIN , and never have run into problems or any concerns.

No problem using a debit card to get cash once, or even a few times during a trip, you really will not need much cash.

You will use a credit card, or your phone, most of the time, it does vary by country, some are almost cashless, Italy included, others, like Germany, still like cash.

I always like to have 50 to 100 euro of cash on me as backup, then replenish as necessary.

Fear of using a debit card or ATM is unfounded, sure if you prefer not to, but not good advice.

A couple things to consider:
You say "I' so you are traveling solo? I've done four solo trips so far. I take two or three credit cards and one debit card. The credit cards are from two different banks. The debit card is from a small travel account so I as not using my primary debit cards.

You don't have time to open a travel checking account, assuming you haven't already, and get a debit card from that account. I suggest you take your bank debit card and keep it buried in your money belt except for emergencies. You are wearing a money belt, right? Do you have more than one credit card in case yours is blocked, lost or stolen?

How much €s are you taking? You usually don't need much cash but I've had a few obnoxious taxi drivers who only wanted cash. Most businesses take credit cards. I usually take €100-200 depending where I'm going. I get local currencies from ATMs
I take $100 cash for use in US airports and Execucar tips from and to home. Other posts talk about currency exchanges. They're all over but charge high rates.
Buon Viaggio!

Never carry more cash than you can afford to lose without your vacation being impacted

So when you pull out your stash of cash, thanks to yourself if I lost this immediately after getting off the plane in my destination, could I continue my vacation, if not, you’re bringing too much cash

I met a couple one time in the Paris airport who were trying to fly home about 24 hours after landing because “ we don’t believe in credit cards or debit cards” and they only bought cash and somehow they lost the cash immediately and they were begging Delta to let them go home

Most banks simply do not want the inconvenience of dealing with foreign notes, so do not change foreign cash. There are change offices but usually they offer very bad rates. Picking up cash with a credit/debit card is the way to go. And if you pay with credit cards (in China, with Alipay or Wechat) you do not even need much cash anyway.

I am a solo female traveler and have been to Italy a number of times.

Do you have your wallet set up on your phone for either ApplePay or Googlepay? I used ApplePay almost exclusively for purchases the last time I was in Italy (2022) and for my travels in 2023, 2024 and 2025 (France, UK, Netherlands). I have even used ApplePay for 3E gelato in Venice and Rome and .70 Eurocents for the toilet in the Amsterdam train station.

I do have 2 debit cards with me, the one from my main checking account at a local credit union and one from my money market account. I do as Carol suggests and have them buried deep in my money belt or cross body when I am not headed to an ATM to get cash.

Is there anything we can say to make you more comfortable about taking your debit card out of the US? I think most of the people on the forum travel with debit cards. IF the advice you've received for not traveling with them is coming from folks who do not travel internationally, they may be misinformed.

I can't think of a compelling reason not to bring your debit card with you. It's a safe, convenient way to get foreign currency while traveling. It's much safer than carrying loads of cash around.

I'm not sure you have time, but you could try to quickly open a Schwab account, fund that with a limited amount of cash and you'd be "insulated" only up that that amount. The other advantage is how Schwab covers fees.

But honestly, my advice is bring your debit card and use it only at bank ATMs. Withdraw in euros and decline the "currency conversion" option.

"I can't think of a compelling reason not to bring your debit card with you. "

Because, with* Credit Cards (by law), you are protected from fraud. Debit Cards (by law) do not. It's up to the Bank that issued the Debit Card.

Plenty of sites explain it, here's one:

https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/learn/credit-card-vs-debit-card-safer-online-purchases

(* in the US)

I haven't been to Italy in 25 years.
Going by my most recent experience in Scotland - could pay by CC /Wallet tap everywhere, including on local transit. I took my dedit card so that I could take out a small amount of British pounds at a UK bank machine. I think the only place I had to pay cash was at a church gift store as they wouldn't take CC for low cost transactions.

Just be aware of who is around you when go to an Ialian bank machine to get Italian currency using your debt card.

My guess is that an Italian bank would be rather not have to deal with foreign paper currency.

Since the risk on a debit card is all the money in the account, take both the debit card and a credit card. Before leaving, draw down the account of the debit card to a suitable level somewhat higher than your anticipated cash need.

You have a lot of advice about what you should have done. You should have been on this site six months or when you started planning. But --- to respond to your questions -- Banks will not change $s for euro. Money exchanges at airports, some train stations, will but expect to pay about a 10% fee. So if you exchange 100 US it will cost you 8 to 10 $. Debit cards at a bank own ATM (and they are everywhere) will give you the best exchange rate. Some may have some fees attached but in the long run the ATM is only way to go. We travel with three credit cards and two debit cards tied to different accounts. We also use a money belt for security. We also have our pin numbers for the credit cards so they can be used for cash in an extreme emergency. We encode the pin numbers on the cards so we can keep track of the pin numbers. You really should take your debit card.

I'd take my Debit card. But as Frank said, I'd use it at Banks or something with at least that much trust.

Or to have as another Card for emergencies.

I travel mostly solo a lot, mostly to Italy.
This year I went to France for a change and was totally solo as my usual travel friend couldn’t make it this time , so no one to fall back on if necessary.
This year, before I left, I opened a second bank account at a different bank , new to me.
The new account had only a small amount in it and had a debit and credit card attached.
I took my regular cards with me but they stayed in my underclothing moneybelt at all times.
I had the new cards in my crossbody bag for everyday use and didn’t worry about them as much, due to the small amount in the account.
I felt safe having cards from different banks in case of loss, theft etc.
I think it’s a good idea and was glad I did it.

Thank you for all the replies. Yes I have some Euros and 2 credit cards to bring. I've been hacked a couple of times and was just concerned about bringing my debit card which is probbably just unnecessary worry on my part. I was thinking about the smaller shops and Christmas markets when thinking that I might need more cash especially if I find lots to purchase and send home. I think I am just overthinking things now that my trip is only days away! Thanks again all.

Have a couple of ATM cards to withdraw cash at ATMs, just in case one of the two malfunctions or is lost. You don’t need to take them on you except for when you plant to use the ATM. You can leave them in the hotel safe.

Everybody accepts cards or phone (Apple Pay or Google pay), but hard cash is useful for small transactions. Some taxi drivers also expect to be paid in cash so that they can dodge the taxman. For long taxi rides that cost more (like from/to airport) just let the taxi driver know you need to pay with a card. If they say no there are dozens of taxis in line. For other occasions you can pay them in cash if you want.

"Because, with* Credit Cards (by law), you are protected from fraud. Debit Cards (by law) do not. It's up to the Bank that issued the Debit Card."

• That same fraud risk exists the other 350 days of the year at home, yet the OP carries a debit card at home.

The risk/reward equation here is simply whether it's safer to carry a large sum of physical cash vs using a debit card to withdraw euros as the OP goes. If you truly believe that carrying large amounts of cash around is safer, then we just have to disagree I guess. Be well.

If one were worried about bank card risk, one would have 2 accounts at the bank. One with the big bucks and no ATM card and one with 10 days of cash and an ATM card. Its worked for me for years. More out of habit than fear.

Horsewoofie, I love the idea of a separate small bank account that has a debit card for travel.
Chris, I don't carry a debit card with me in the US. It stays in my house except when I need to use the ATM.

"If one were worried about bank card risk, one would have 2 accounts at the bank. One with the big bucks and no ATM card and one with 10 days of cash and an ATM card. It's worked for me for years. More out of habit than fear."

That's essentially what I do with my Schwab ATM card. I "load" it with as much money as I think I'll need plus a small cushion.

But your idea works even for his current bank... Just open a second checking account and use that debit card on the trip.

“I've been hacked a couple of times”

Do you have credit cards in your Apple or Google wallet? I ask because if your card is compromised and you report it to your CC company they will automatically update your Apple Wallet with the new number and it’s available for use immediately before you get the plastic card in the mail. This can be invaluable when traveling in Europe!

Not being very tech-minded, I was shocked to learn this when my AMEX was compromised here at home and the agent told me that over the phone. Yep, able to use it at the grocery store that day. It was updated by the time I hung up and clicked on my wallet.

Cala and Chris, I keep $2000 or a bit more in my travel account. It is a Fidelity Cash Management account. No fee ATM/ debit card. If I need more money, I can transfer money from my brokerage account through their app.

I also keep my debit card and credit cards in RFID holders. Not because I subscribe to the skimming theory, but because they are identifiers for each card. I bought cute animal and landscape card holders. Each is noted with which card and a coded password reminder. So the debit card hold says FIDO ATM on one side and Pop’s birthday on the other. And a credit card says BAC PR on one side and brother’s birthday on the other. I doubt if a thief knows my deceased father’s and brother’s birthdays. It’s more about me feeling safe and secure.

Generally speaking, if you feel uncomfortable with using a debit card too much, stick to ATMs inside of banks. Those are commonly considered very safe afaik, as it is much harder for outsiders to manipulate them. That is definitely safer than carrying lots of dollars to later exchange.

I keep $2000 or a bit more in my travel account. It is a Fidelity Cash
Management account. No fee ATM/ debit card. If I need more money, I
can transfer money from my brokerage account through their app.

Thats exactly how I live my life full time. Except my bank and my brokerage house are both owned by the same company. I get an automated payday transfer at the start of the month if I need more I email an agent and they take care of it.

Everything is so automated that I coud die and be dead for over a year before I missed a payment on something.

....Just open a second checking account and use that debit card on the trip.......** Be a little careful with two accounts at the same institution. IF you have two accounts at the same bank, it is highly likely that you have signed a cross collateral agreement which allows the bank to transfer money from the account with fund to an account that is over drawn. That is a fairly standard arrangement. It is much better to have two accounts at two different institutions. We use a bank and a credit union.

If your debit card is hacked/stolen aren't you technically still liable for any overdraft? But, yes, there's no automatic movement of money from one of your accounts to the overdrawn one like having both in one institution.

It seems to be up to the Bank that issued the card on how they handle it. And I imagine how good a customer you are might have something to do with it.